Defending champions Senegal secure Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 ticket

By Can Erozden

Reigning champions Senegal qualified Friday for the 2023 CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Round of 16.

Called the Lions of Teranga, Senegal beat five-time AFCON winners Cameroon 3-1 in a Group C match at Yamoussoukro's Stade Charles Konan Banny de Yamoussoukro in the Ivory Coast.

In the 16th minute, Ismaila Sarr put Senegal in front. Habib Diallo doubled the gap in the 71st minute.

Cameroon's Jean-Charles Castelleto scored a header to narrow the gap with seven minutes to go.

Sadio Mane, the former Liverpool and Bayern Munich star, cemented the win, scoring for Senegal in injury time.

Leaders Senegal have six points in two matches to secure a spot in the knockout stage.

On Tuesday, the Lions of Teranga will play their last group match against second-place Guinea, who beat Gambia 1-0 to be on four points.

The match will name the group winners.

Cameroon, who have one point after two matches, will face Gambian underdogs on Tuesday.

The Gambia are in the last spot after they lost two matches in the group.

Earlier Friday, Cape Verde beat Mozambique 3-0 in Group B to book their place in the last 16.

The best two nations in each group will automatically qualify for the last 16.

In addition, the four highest-ranked third-placed nations will join them in the first knockout stage.